The Effect Of Distributive Scheme And Social Distance On Perceived Fairness In Profit And Loss Context

Fairness is an important social code of conduct.In psychology,the economic game paradigm is usually used to discuss individual perception of fairness.The most common paradigms are ultimatum game paradigm and dictator game paradigm.In this study,four experiments were conducted to explore the effects of distributive scheme and social distance on individuals’ perception of fairness in profit and loss situations.In Experiment 1 and Experiment 2,participants were randomly divided into three groups(mother group,friend group and stranger group)according to social distance,using the multi-person ultimatum game paradigm.The effects of distribution scheme and social distance on individuals’ perception of fairness were investigated.The results showed that :(1)In the income situation,individuals’ perception of fairness to the schemes for the same amount of income was significantly different,and all individuals’ perception of fairness to the schemes was higher.In the unfair scenarios,individuals had a higher perception of the allocation scenarios in which people closer to them received more money.Moreover,participants in the mother group had a more consistent perception of fairness to the scheme in which the sum of money was the same as that of their mother.(2)Individuals in loss situations attach more importance of fairness.Experiment 3 and Experiment 4 used eye movement technique to explore the effects of distribution scheme and social distance on individuals’ perception of fairness in the gain and loss scenarios.The results showed that :(1)The behavior results were basically consistent with experiment 1 and experiment 2.(2)The results of eye movement showed that when the mother group was playing economic game,the subjects in the friend group and the stranger group focused on the mother’s area of interest in a longer time,while the friends and strangers group focused on their own area of interest in a longer time.According to the experimental results,the following conclusions are drawn: firstly,individuals do not have absolute economic man orientation when carrying out fairness perception,but have a certain degree of fairness preference,and have a higher perception of relatively fair schemes.Second,individuals are more concerned about the interests in people close to them in society.Moreover,in the process of individual perception of fairness,there exists the phenomenon that the self includes the mother under the Chinese collectivism.Third,individuals value fairness more in loss situations.Fourth,there is a certain processing sequence in the perception of fairness.First,the overall fairness of the scheme is considered,and then the interests are considered in the case of injustice.In conclusion,the research proves that individuals are neither absolute economic man nor completely fair orientation.The fairness of distribution scheme,social distance and experimental situation all have different effects on individuals’ perception of fairness.